Monthly Archive for August, 2005

A blog worth reading – Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert

Published on August 25, 2005 in Personal. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

One of the blogs I regularly read are Martin Lewis’ blog across at MoneySavingExpert, which is a FAB site. The site isn’t about being a skin-flint or frugal, just getting best value for money on anything and everything. Well worth a look.

In fact, the more I read other peoples blogs (even the ones that randomly pop up as “just been updated” from MSN Spaces on my own blog page – ranging from teenagers with teenage angst, to journalists talking about subjects that I’d never normally be interested in) the more I enjoy them!

Google Services

Published on August 24, 2005 in Computers and Internet. 0 Comments
Remember when Portals
ruled the World Wide Web? Lots of companies offering dozens of services
in return for making you their homepage. Using a 64k ISDN line to
access the Internet back then, I preferred being a minimalist. Alta-Vista was my home-page, then Google. They both offered clean basic interfaces that loaded quickly with no clutter.



I’d not changed my homepage for ages, then I heard about Google offering customisation of their search page. Unlike MSN or Yahoo, who seem to bombard you with adverts, Google’s Customised Homepage
can be as full or a basic as you like. You can add RSS feeds easily,
Weather for your home city, Sports News, Technology News, basically -
anything. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and although
it’s still in Beta, I’m really enjoying it.



Whilst investigating Google Customised, I came across a few other of their services. The one that interested me the most is Google SMS.
Although it doesn’t offer a full Internet search capability (hey, that
would be impressive in 130 odd characters of a text message!) it allows
you to send a text message from your mobile phone to a number (no cost
other than your Telecomm providers normal charge) and get all sorts of
info back. Text your postcode and the type of shop you are looking for
- it’ll tell you the closest location. You can also get it to give you
dictionary definitions, driving directions, and quick answers to
questions. Handy for cheating in pub quizzes (which was the first thing
an IT Manager I told about this service used it for! No, really. Never
trust anyone who works in IT… )



I also use Google Desktop,
which I find very useful to search through the years worth of
documents, invoices and chat logs I keep on my PC’s hard drive and
network drives.



Then there is Google Earth.
I’ve seen videos of this in action and found it stunning. Pick a
location on the planet and zoom in on it, using Satellite pictures as
well as local road maps. So I installed it on my office PC. And it
killed it. Unfortunately my work PC is used exclusively for just that,
work. Google Earth looks like it demands a fast processor and graphics card – time to dig out my Games PC it seems!

Books I’m Reading – Brian Clough, David Gemmell and The E-Myth revisited

Published on August 21, 2005 in Books. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Today has been spent relaxing. After just finishing the Brian Clough Autobiography “Cloughie: Walking on Water” (which was enjoyable, but I felt spent too much time on Clough’s opinion of the modern game, rather than anecdotes from the writers life, as I enjoy in a Autobiography) I’ve started reading David Gemmell’s “The Swords of Night and Day” which is proving brilliant reading! I’m a massive Gemmell fan, own nearly all of his books, but it’s been such a while since I actually made time to read his work that I’d forgotten how brilliant it was!

When taking a break from the keyboard to read for work, I’m currently being inspired by Michael Gerbers “The E-Myth Revisited”. It’s seems this book is written specifically for me as a small business owner! A good recommendation from John Seeley, who I attended a seminar from the other week and found to be full of good ideas. Thanks John!

 


Why I know my music, and why I’m not Pikey

Published on August 18, 2005 in Personal. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .
Well, TubbBlog has been live for a few days now and naturally, people have opinions on it’s artistic direction.Reader DB of Droitwich writes “Any chance you could start a “who’s hot” in the world of music, as I have
enjoyed your predictions of the next band to break into the big time on the music scene. Surely this is a must for someone with your unique music taste.“

DB – thanks for your letter, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been compared to Pete Waterman many times before, admittedly because we are both 80′s music loving, balding, overweight, arrogant buggers, but occasionally also because of our unique eye for musical talent. Those who value my opinion musically know that it was I who predicted the rise to the top, many many months before they actual made it there, of such great… well, such acts as M People, The Lighthouse Family, tATu and most notably, Let Loose.

Keep them peeled DB and others – I’ll be giving you some ideas on who’s Hot, and who’s Not in the World of Tubb ™ in the near future.


Reader Dario of Italy writes next “Richard, not only are you my most macho friend, but also my pikiest friend. I salute you!“.I can’t deny the macho bit, but to call me a Pikey? All I did was point out a fabulous Travel West Midlands (and have I mentioned I miss WMPTE, the little fella with the giant white nose?) offer for a free bus pass – what’s pikey about that? Whilst we are on the subject, check out this web-site for great free stuff.

Ok Dario. You may have a point there after all.

Scruffy Duffys, Unleashed Movie

Published on August 16, 2005 in Personal and TV, Music, Radio and Movies. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , .
Went to Scruffy Duffys on Broad Street with my friend Mandy. It’s apparantly a Rock Bar with regular Live Bands. Sadly only on a Thur, Fri & Sat! 
Good atmosphere, but quite empty (not unusual for a Tuesday I guess) and not too “rocky” at all! Seems to have picked up lots of the drunks that used to go to the Merchant Stores!

Had been for a bite to eat in Brindley Place earlier, then went 2 a preview of ”Unleashed” with Jet Li, Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins earlier in the night. An unusual film, but very good and entertaining. Never seen a film that mixes Fight Action and Piano Playing in such a way. Go see it!